Accessibility
It is our goal to make WorldWide WitchCamp as accessible as possible - this is one of the foundations of our WitchCamp. We also recognise that due to dynamics of power that oppress and marginalize many of us, total and complete accessibility is not feasible. Yet as Witches weaving this web we touch these threads, re-weave, shift the unbalanced web, and open new ways. We listen to the small and tiny ones, the creatures at the edges, the Siblings of Arte far away from the center. We pause. We shift the center and the circumference and open the space.
WorldWide WitchCamp has been inspired by the needs of several different communities and Reclaiming witches on the edges of our international tradition: Small communities, non-English speaking members, people who don’t have a home Camp, or can’t afford to attend an in-person camp, or can’t attend an in-person Camp for a variety of reasons. WorldWide WitchCamp seeks to offer a WitchCamp experience for these individuals and communities.
Financial Accessibility
One of our radical priorities is to make this camp accessible to different financial realities in different parts of the world. We understand that money and labor are attained strictly with privileges and culture and Third Nation Countries do not have the same privileges as First Nation Countries. Black people, Indigenous People and People of Color do not have the same privileges as White people. People in LGBTQIA+, genderqueer, and nonbinary communities does not have the same privileges as cis-straight people and their communities. This unbalanced difference of privilege is directly reflected in people’s income.
Our commitment is to financially open our WitchCamp as a response to this unbalanced difference. That being said, this first year is an experiment, and we are open to feedback and adjustment for possible future Camps. We have different options for payments, as adjusted as possible to the realities of countries and cultures geographically and socially. We’ll have scholarships available. We have no one turned away due to lack of funds policy.
Language Accessibility
It is no surprise that Reclaiming has English as its main spoken language. Yet as the number of Reclaiming communities with non-English speakers continues to grow the lack of language inclusiveness becomes more palpable.
Another of our radical priorities is to make this camp as accessible as possible to both English and non-English speakers. There are Reclaiming Witches not only in Turtle Island/United States, Canada, Britain and so-called Australia and New Zealand. There’s a myriad of Reclaiming witches in Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, Ireland, and Iceland.
We call to Reclaiming witches who speak languages other than English to be part of our Camp — as teachers and path facilitators, as ritualists, for optional offerings. Our Org team this year includes one person (of five) for whom English is not their first language. Our goal is to make rituals, paths and optional offerings accessible to different languages in a variety of ways. We seek to empower non-English speakers to step into the center of our spiral and guide their community towards our Reclaiming roots and magic.
Geographical Accessibility
Closely related and intertwined with language accessibility is geographical accessibility - in person WitchCamps happen only in certain countries (so far!) and only in certain locations within those countries. WorldWide WitchCamp hopes to reach out to those who live elsewhere, and those who cannot easily travel.
Technological Accessibility
WorldWide WitchCamp is an online Camp, thus its basic requirements include: access to the internet, a device (phone or computer), a headset or earbuds, and some experience or willingness to navigate online platforms such as Zoom and online information via a website. This will not suit everyone, just as an in-person Camp does not suit everyone. WorldWide WitchCamp is designed to fill a gap, rather than to meet every need that may exist within our far-flung and diverse communities.
There is the possibility that people could gather together in pairs or small groups to access Camp. Please reach out to us if you have technical issues or questions
Age Accessibility
People of all ages and stages of life might love to attend a WitchCamp! For those whose age and/or health might prevent them from attending an in-person Camp, we hope an online version may be more accessible. Younger people may not have the resources or independence to travel to or attend an in-person Camp and those caring for small children may find it difficult to either find a Camp that accommodates them, or to take the time away from their responsibilities.
We are imagining our Camp as open to all ages, although it is not specifically a family WitchCamp. Any paths or optional offerings that include nudity or specific discussion of sexual topics will be clearly advised as 18+ only.
If you have any extra needs or questions around age accessibility at WorldWide WitchCamp, please reach out to us.